by Olivia Miles
Jenna arrived with her cousin Heidi Clark, who was the only family member she had that didn’t own or work in one of the shops in town, though she wouldn’t be entirely surprised if Candy found a way to fit the event into her schedule. Often, Amelia was just as happy to send her stepmother on a break as she was to have her help in the kitchen.
The lobby furniture had been rearranged, giving space for a long table where several people already sat, carefully cutting printed wrapping paper or curling ribbon. Robbie’s mother was hosting the event, but she was so busy overseeing the table of volunteers and doling out supplies, that it took a moment before she noticed Jenna.
“Hey!” Bonnie Bradford’s cheeks were flushed as she came around the table. “I’m happy you girls stopped by.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Jenna replied, even though in years past she had done just that with many of the town events, even when there were far less than this year. The children’s choir was a small production compared to the school show, one that would consist of three simple songs compared to a kindergarten through high school event that required more rehearsal time, including from her. How many nights would she sit at the piano, practicing the songs she already knew by heart?
Too many, perhaps, she thought, looking around. She had to admit that it was nice to participate in the other seasonal events for a change. Not that she’d be admitting that to Travis…
And not that she’d be spending much more time with him, either. Yesterday had been a meeting by chance. The other times, too. It was a small town, as she’d told him. It happened.
Now, though, she couldn’t help but wonder when it would happen again.
“You have to admit that Candy can be brilliant at times. Expanding the Winter Carnival to a month of festivities has brought a lot of activity to the town,” Heidi said. “It not only gave the shop owners a bit of a boost yesterday, but with all the sales from the shopping event, people will have tons of gifts in need of wrapping.”
“It was also generous of Cora to donate so much paper and ribbon,” Bonnie nodded to show her appreciation. “I offered to pay her, but she wholeheartedly refused, saying I was doing my part by hosting everyone today.”
The cousins exchanged a secret smile. They both knew that Cora probably had more rolls of wrapping paper stashed away in the storage rooms of that shop than she’d ever be able to sell, especially when she was constantly adding to her stockpile. She’d never met a new pattern or plaid she could resist.
“Let’s grab the two seats at the end.” Jenna quickly moved around the table and draped her coat over the back of the chair before she sat down. Soon, they were so engrossed in the task of cutting, folding, and taping, that Jenna barely had time to look up, and when she did, she was surprised to see how much the room had filled.
“Oh, there’s Mr. Pritchard!” She held up a hand until she caught his attention. “Is there a gift I can wrap for you?”
He nodded as he approached the table and held out a single box. “I don’t have many people to buy for these days, but I wanted to do my part yesterday by buying something. It’s for my vet. She’s been so good to my little terrier. It’s a treat jar to keep on the counter in her office.”
“I’m sure she’ll love it,” Jenna smiled as she centered the box on a large square of paper and began quickly wrapping it. She glanced up at Mr. Pritchard as she reached for the tape, noticing something wary in his eyes, maybe even a little lost. Hoping that she wasn’t overstepping, she said, “You know, we can probably use more help. There’s a lot of people waiting to get their presents wrapped, and I’m guessing some of the people here will want to take a break soon.”
“Oh…” Mr. Pritchard looked around the room with uncertainty, but there was a little curve to his mouth. “As long as you don’t expect me to make any of those fancy bows?”
Jenna laughed. “I’ll get you a chair.” She handed him his wrapped gift and then stood to search for a chair, surprised when she saw Travis and his grandmother pushing through the crowd.
“Travis!” She caught herself. Her tone was considerably more cheerful than she’d intended. He wasn’t completely off the hook just yet.
He grinned when his eyes landed on her, but it was his grandmother who positively beamed.
“Jenna Conway!” She looked up from her wheelchair to give her grandson an extremely pointed look. “I’m so happy to see you again, dear.”
Jenna didn’t read too much into it; no doubt Travis’s grandmother was just another well-intentioned, if not entirely off-base, matchmaker, not unlike her aunt—
“Candy!” Jenna looked up to see none other than Candy poking her head over Travis’s shoulder, her waggling eyebrows forcing Jenna to let out a sigh as she watched her aunt push through the crowd, grinning very broadly at Travis in the process.
Candy was holding at least a dozen shopping bags—barely holding them, was more like it. She glanced to her aunt’s companion, who was taking her time coming through the door, feeling a wash of relief. “And Mom!”
“Hello, honey,” her mother said warmly. “Are you helping out today?”
“I am, and given how many people have shown up to have their gifts wrapped, I’m glad I did.” Jenna glanced to the side to see Travis maneuver his grandmother’s wheelchair away from the crowd that was coming and going through the door.
“Oh, I would have helped out myself but I only have an hour break before I have to get back to the café. We’re staying open later today on account of all the activity in town.” Candy pouted. “Do you think that’s enough time to get all these wrapped?”
Jenna eyed the bulging paper bags doubtfully, but Travis’s grandmother cut in before she could reply.
“I can help! Put me to work!”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Travis gave her a worried glance, but she swatted him away.
“This grandson of mine won’t stop worrying about me even though I’ve been on my own for most of my adult life. I’m perfectly capable of wrapping a few gifts and tying a few bows. And you’d better roll up your sleeves, too.” She gave him a stern look but Jenna could see the twinkle in her eyes.
Travis shrugged and looked at Jenna with a nervous smile. “Guess that means we’re volunteering.”
“Great.” Jenna felt a little breathless as she took the shopping bags from Candy and handed a few to Heidi. There was an awkward moment of shuffling at the table, with a few of the ladies having to move down to make room for the newcomers, and Candy standing guard, clutching the rest of her packages, and double-checking that no surprises would be ruined.
“I’ll wrap your gifts myself at home,” she told Jenna, Heidi, and Jenna’s mother.
“Mr. Pritchard, do you know Mrs. Gibney?” Jenna asked the old man, who was quickly getting the hang of things.
His cheeks turned a little pink. “I certainly do. It’s nice to see you again, Mabel.”
Mabel giggled like a schoolgirl, and Jenna and Travis exchanged an alarmed glance over their heads which evolved into a slow smile.
“You two know each other?” Travis seemed surprised, and Jenna refrained from pointing out that in a town as small as Blue Harbor, all the locals knew each other. Instead, she waited for the response, interested in just how well these two were acquainted.
“We went to school together,” Mabel said.
“I sat behind her every single day for twelve years,” Mr. Pritchard said with a mischievous grin.
“So you could pull my hair.” Mabel gave him a look of disapproval, even though she smiled as she said it.
“Only up until age ten,” Mr. Pritchard said in his defense. “After that, I just admired it. You always did have the prettiest auburn hair I ever did see. If you don’t mind me saying.”
Now Jenna watched as Mabel’s cheeks turned rosy. She gave a little sniff as she reached for a tape dispenser and said coyly, “I don’t mind you saying so at all. Just not sure what took you so long.”
Jenna looked at T
ravis and covered her mouth to hide her smile. She was just about to suggest that Travis move to the door as a greeter to maybe give the old sweethearts a little space when Travis’s grandmother looked up at her.
“You know what’s missing from this event? Music. Here we are, wrapping Christmas presents, and there’s no music in the background to make it feel festive.”
Jenna couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed this first, but with all the buzz in the room, and, admittedly, Travis’s arrival, she was a little distracted.
“I can go ask one of the Bradfords to turn on the stereo,” she started to say, but Mabel shook her head.
“I see a perfectly good grand piano right there near the window.” Mabel jutted her chin toward it, and Jenna tensed.
“Oh, I’d love to hear you play,” Mr. Pritchard said. He glanced at Mabel and Travis. “She was my prize student.”
Now it was Jenna’s turn to blush. “Oh, I’m sure you’ve had many gifted students in your long career.”
“I have had a few,” he said thoughtfully, “but you were special, dear.”
Jenna looked down at the bow she was tying, taking the compliment to heart, as it was intended. When she hadn’t gotten into the music college, she’d always felt like she let two people down: herself, and Mr. Pritchard. Now, glancing up to see the pride in his eyes, she dared to think that hadn’t been the case.
“Then you must play,” Travis said, holding her gaze.
Before she could think of an excuse (because saying her gift-wrapping services were needed when they had so many volunteers probably wouldn’t hold up) a few other people looked up and nodded their agreement.
“Play something for us, Jenna!” Candy called out, sparking a rise of enthusiasm from the crowd.
“I haven’t prepared anything. I…don’t have my music sheets.”
“Pshaw.” Candy wasn’t buying her excuses. “I see you at rehearsals. You have everything memorized!”
Jenna felt her cheeks burn and she shook her head. “I’m here to focus on the wrapping paper.”
“I know! We can do a duet!” Candy blinked hopefully.
Jenna’s mother cut a glance to Jenna before gracefully setting a hand on her new sister-in-law’s wrist. “You’re so good at the bows, though, Candy. I don’t think anyone else in this room has your skill set. Maybe you could show a few of us your trick before you have to get back to the café?”
Candy beamed, instantly distracted, but unfortunately, Jenna wasn’t off the hook just yet.
“I for one could use a little Christmas cheer if I’m going to sit here all afternoon,” Travis’s grandmother huffed, even though it was clear from the way her fingers quickly moved to the pile of snowberries that she tucked into a forest green velvet ribbon that she was enjoying herself.
“Me too,” Mr. Pritchard chimed in, giving her a pleading look.
Aw, shucks. There was no way she could turn him down and he knew it.
Jenna looked around at the sea of faces and, begrudgingly, pushed back her chair. The piano was in the corner of the room, near the window, with a snowy view of Main Street in all its Christmas glory. She reminded herself that this room was filled with old friends who wouldn’t mind if she missed a note.
She glanced at Travis as she sat down at the bench. Even some new friends.
She started with the simple classics—adding a little flourish at the end as she eased into the music, eventually forgetting that she was sitting in the lobby of the Carriage House Inn instead of her cozy little apartment, as she moved effortlessly from one song to the next, transitioning with notes that her fingers found, without having to give much thought or pause.
By the time she finished, the room was hush, and everyone was staring at her.
She froze for a moment, wondering if she’d gone on too long, but then, a cheer went up. She couldn’t be sure who led it, but her eyes met her mother’s, who was beaming with pride, and then, because she couldn’t quite resist, she glanced at Travis, who was grinning ear-to-ear, and, if she didn’t know better, clapping the loudest. And given that Candy was attempting to wolf-whistle, that certainly said something.
It said a lot, actually, she thought as she stood and tucked in the bench, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions that she hadn’t felt in quite some time, and maybe, she thought, glancing at Travis again, never had before this Christmas.
Jenna couldn’t have been more relieved when Travis suggested they grab a drink—even if she might have appreciated it if Heidi had tagged along rather than said something vague about going over to her sister’s bookstore for a bit.
The gift-wrapping event had been a huge success, and not just for the fundraising effort. Mr. Pritchard and Travis’s grandmother were engrossed in a cozy dinner near the fireplace at this very moment, and Jenna supposed that Travis wouldn’t be leaving until they were through with their meal. Not that she was in any rush.
The pub at the Carriage House Inn was dark and cozy, with a long, polished wood bar and clusters of tables with black Windsor chairs. For the holidays, it had been decorated with garland and lights, large wreaths on the open doors, and centerpieces made from greenery and pillar candles, no doubt Gabby’s creations.
Perched on a barstool, with a mug of hot cider warming her hands and the snow falling gently against the windows to her right, Jenna listened to the soft sounds of the Christmas music that was barely audible over the din of the dining room and thought about how much nicer this was than sitting home alone in her flannels watching a holiday movie—which she’d still do, of course, just later.
“My grandmother is full of surprises,” Travis remarked, glancing over his shoulder.
Jenna sipped her hot drink. “I’ll say. I still can’t believe she persuaded me into performing for everyone today.”
“She doesn’t back down easily.” Travis laughed. “Besides, it didn’t seem to bother you too much.”
“I’m not used to playing in public,” she admitted. She still couldn’t believe she’d even done that, and only Candy’s insistence had given her the nudge.
“But you played at the tree lighting ceremony,” he said.
She nodded. “Yes, but that’s different, somehow. That’s…rehearsed. And it’s only one time a year. And everyone’s attention is on the tree. And there are singers, same with the pageant,” she added. And the choir. And the weddings she played at, where all eyes were on the bride, as they should be. She had fallen into a support role over time. It was comfortable, even safe.
Now, though, thinking of how the music program was slipping away, of how one more thing she’d treasured and valued would no longer be a central role in her life, she wondered if she’d gotten too comfortable.
A heavy pause landed between them at the mention of the school’s production. Fortunately, Jackson Bradford was tending bar tonight and had a way of making easy conversation with everyone who came into the restaurant.
“You guys eating here tonight or just having drinks?”
Or not. Jenna’s heart began to race at the awkwardness of this simple question, but this time it was Travis who gave a casual shrug and said, “I wouldn’t mind trying the menu.” He jutted his chin toward the corner table where his grandmother was laughing at something Mr. Pritchard had said. “Besides, I don’t think those two are going to be ready to leave for a while.”
A date it was then. Or at least, dinner. Either way, she was happy it was happening.
“Was that you playing the piano earlier?” Jackson asked as Travis considered the food options. Jenna already knew the menu by heart, having eaten here hundreds of times over the years. The Bradfords were practically family, and they would be soon, when Britt and Jackson’s younger brother Robbie tied the knot in the spring.
“I didn’t realize it could be heard in here,” Jenna said, feeling a little alarmed when she took in the full dining room.
“You kidding me? It’s not often we get live music. I turned off the stereo so we could all enj
oy it.” Jackson gave her one of those grins that Jenna knew tended to work magic on most female tourists (and some locals) and turned his attention to Travis. “What’ll it be?”
When their orders were placed, Travis turned his attention back to her. “Why don’t you like to play in public?”
He wasn’t going to let this go, but then, she supposed that she’d given him reason to ask, hadn’t she?
“I’m a teacher now,” she said. “It’s not about my music, it’s about what I can give to others.”
“I’d say you gave quite a lot to the crowd back there.” Travis grinned. “I don’t think I’ve seen my grandmother smile for that length of time since…well, probably never. Probably not since my grandfather was still alive.”
Jenna blinked at him, wondering if he was just saying that and realizing that he wasn’t. That she had managed to bring joy to a lonely woman, not just to herself.
She glanced over her shoulder, where Mabel was once again laughing loudly. “I don’t know. She seems to be pretty happy right now.”
Travis raised his eyebrows. “I guess you’re never too old for a second chance.”
“Or to find love,” Jenna said, and then stiffened, wishing she hadn’t made that sudden change in the conversation.
He hesitated for a moment and then reached for his beer. “So, why is it that you don’t play in public, aside from the events we already talked about?”
She swallowed hard and moved her napkin around on the wood surface of the bar. “I…I had a bad experience one time.” When it was clear that he was waiting for her to elaborate, she took a breath. “When I was younger, I tried out for a music college. There was an audition, and…I froze. I panicked. I forgot the notes and I didn’t have the sheet music, and…well, needless to say, I wasn’t accepted.”